There’s nothing like putting on an ancient Roman soldier outfit, especially if you’re carrying a (fake) sword at your side, to command attention. I discovered that firsthand this year during my role as part of Vacation Bible School (VBS) at a church in Billings, Montana.
Wearing a plumed helmet and an authentic-looking uniform, I played a Roman soldier who forcefully issued commands yet also cared deeply for his ailing servant. (See Mathew 8:5-13.)
The role injected real drama into a session of the Bible Adventures class. Students obeyed my commands and reflected on situations where they faced impossible tasks.
Make a Human Connection
Architecture/Engineering/Construction firms can also use dramatic, people-centered stories to connect with their stakeholders. Don’t stop at technical solutions. Yes, they are essential for project success, but there’s more.
Use stories to show how your projects made a difference for clients and end users. Ask:
- What obstacles did we overcome?
- How did we collaborate with partners or the community?
- What surprised the team along the way?
- How did the finished project improve users’ lives, measured in time, safety, cost, or experience?
These human-centered narratives help your firm connect on a deeper level.
Visuals matter—whether you’re telling a Bible story or sharing a project narrative. This Roman soldier costume helped me bring a message to life at VBS. (Photo by Fr. Martin Ezeihuaku, MSP, Pastor)
Design for Visual Impact
My soldier costume gave me the edge I needed to captivate my young and sometimes restless audience from the moment I entered the classroom. Likewise, your A/E/C content should include visual and narrative elements that grab the attention of today’s skimming, distracted readers.
Add interest with:
- Striking before-and-after photos
- Meaningful pull-out quotes
- Captivating subheads and readable, concise copy chunk
When readers see something intriguing, they’re more likely to engage with your story.
Build Drama and Then Resolve It
Ask project managers: What kept you up at night during the project, and what challenge are you most proud of solving?
Add interest to your narratives by highlighting issues like the following:
- Tight timelines met
- Unexpected field conditions handled
- Creative phasing or stakeholder coordination
Your readers will react differently to your content. For some, the technical solution will be enough. But others want to know what it’s like to work with your firm. In many cases, a selection committee, not a single decision-maker, will choose your team. So, what stories will stay with them after they’ve read your content or sat through your project interview?
Amplify Your Client’s Support
When I burst into the classroom as a Roman Soldier—helmet, armor, and sword in place—I fully committed to the role. Most of the students were fascinated and followed my every command. They didn’t see “me,” they saw a character who cared deeply about his sick servant.
Your A/E/C content needs the same authenticity and conviction.
Adding social proof helps demonstrate your firm’s success.
- References show you did the work, but they’re the baseline.
- Short testimonials build credibility through the voice of a peer.
- Full client success stories (complete with metrics, imagery, and quotes) deliver the richest social proof and help future clients picture themselves working with you.
Use Story Power to Capture Attention
Need help adding impact and presence to your project stories? Let’s talk about how storytelling can help your A/E/C firm win attention and build trust.
📧 Email me at blaizecommunications@gmail.com or
visit blaizecommunications.com to schedule a quick consult.
How do you use stories at your firm to build interest?
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